“Very well,” he said, “at that price I’ll take four boxes.”
§ 36 Establishing an Identity
It was plain the stranger was suffering from an excess of alcoholic stimulant. He wavered and lurched and wabbled as he ran to catch the trolley car; he slipped and almost fell as he swung aboard; he trampled on the toes of those who rode upon the rear platform and at length when he fell into a seat he struck with considerable violence a somewhat testy gentleman alongside him.
The latter resented being jostled. Probably he had scruples against the use of intoxicants in any form and at any time. He fixed a stern and condemning eye upon the new passenger and of him demanded to know why he did not exercise a little more care when entering a public vehicle.
The person thus reproved, focused his uncertain vision upon the face of the other.
“Dye shee me when I gotta board thish car?” he asked.
“I did.”
“Dye ever shee me before in your who’ life?”
“No.”
“Ever hear an’body call my name?”